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Frequently Asked Questions

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Q. Who do I speak to about garbage/green bin/yard waste/recycling pickup within the City of Orillia?

A. Call the City of Orillia Solid Waste Hotline at 705-325-3522.

Q. Why are my garbage and Green Bin organics collected in the same truck?

A. The City's waste collector (Mid Ontario Disposal) uses divided trucks with two separate compartments to collect garbage and green bin/yard waste, they are not mixed together. Garbage is dropped off at the Waste Diversion Site while green bin/yard waste is dropped off separately at our compost site located at the Waste Diversion Site where it is processed into compost.

Q. How is waste collection affected by holidays?

A. Collection may be delayed by one day during weeks when there is a statutory holiday (e.g., Canada Day, Remembrance Day, etc.). View the Collection Calendar for waste collection schedule changes.

Q. I understand the City of Orillia is on a partial user pay system for garbage. What does this mean and where do I inquire about garbage tags?

A. All garbage placed at curbside requires a City of Orillia Garbage Tag. Since the Garbage Tag program was implemented, there has been about 25% less garbage going to the landfill and an increase of about 35% in recyclables collected. Each residential and commercial unit receives 20 Garbage Tags per year.

The City will mail the next set of garbage tags at the beginning of June. These tags are your allotment to cover the period from July 1 to June 30 the following year.

Q. Where do I drop off environmentally-sensitive materials (paint, solvents, chemicals)?

A. Residents of the City of Orillia and the Townships of Severn, Oro-Medonte and Ramara can take these items, free of charge, to the Household Hazardous Waste Depot, 100 Kitchener St. No commercial hazardous waste is accepted.

Q. Does the City offer a bulky item collection service?

A. No. There are several options for removing large bulky items from your home. Most stores that deliver appliances and mattresses will also remove the used item. In addition, there are local waste removal companies that are willing to come to your home and remove large bulky items you no longer want or need. Check the Yellow Pages under "Rubbish Removal" for a listing of these companies. You can also bring bulky items to the Waste Diversion Site, 100 Kitchener Street; charges may apply - please check the Fee Schedule for a complete listing of fees. If items are reusable or repairable, residents are encouraged to set these items out at the curb marked with a "FREE" sign.

Q. Where can I purchase a backyard composter or rain barrel?

A. Backyard Composters ($25.00) and Rain Barrels ($45.00 for Orillia residents, $60.00 for non-residents) are available at the Waste Diversion Site, 100 Kitchener St.

Q. I just moved to Orillia. What do I do with my cardboard boxes?

A. You can place cardboard at curbside on your regular pickup day. Cardboard boxes must be flattened and tied in bundles no larger than 75cm x 120cm x 25cm (30" x 48" x 10"). There is a limit of four bundles for each curbside pickup. Each bundle exceeding the limit requires a Garbage Tag. Waxed cardboard is not accepted. You can also take cardboard to the Waste Diversion Site, 100 Kitchener St., free of charge.

Q. Where can I get a Recycling Box and Green Bin?

A. Orillia residents and businesses can get a Recycling Box and a Green Bin at the Waste Diversion Site located at 100 Kitchener St. Recycling Boxes can be purchased for $5.00 each (both regular size and large size). Green Bins can be purchased for the subsidized price of $10 each. Smaller kitchen organics containers can be purchased for $2 each. Broken Recycling Boxes, Green Bins, and kitchen organics containers are exchanged free of charge. New residents can receive up to two Recycling Boxes, one Green Bin, and one kitchen container at no charge. Photo ID is required. New residents that are renting must show proof of a new rental agreement with photo ID. Otherwise, they can purchase the bins at the applicable rates. Please note: Residents who have owned their home for over a year are not considered new residents for the purpose of receiving bins at no charge

Q. My Recycling Box or Green Bin is damaged. Can I obtain a replacement?

A. Bring your damaged Recycling Box or Green Bin to the Waste Diversion Site, 100 Kitchener St., and exchange it for a new one free of charge. Note that Recycling Boxes and Green Bins from outside Orillia are not exchanged free of charge and the applicable fee applies for a new unit.

Q. How do I get rid of branches and sticks? Are they collected in the Yard Waste curbside collection program?

A. Branches and sticks are collected in the Green Bin/Yard Waste curbside collection program if branches are up to 1 metre in length and the diameter is under 2.5 cm. You can use paper yard waste bags, certified compostable bags or a labelled rigid container for your Yard Waste. Labels are free and available from City Hall (Cashier's Desk) or the Waste Diversion Site. As of July 1, 2017, clear plastic bags are no longer accepted for collecting yard waste. Please note that paper and compostable bags are not emptied.

You can also bring yard waste to the Waste Diversion Site located at 100 Kitchener Street where it will be composted. Drop off of yard waste is free of charge if branches are only up to 1 metre in length and under 2.5 cm in diameter. If the branches are over these size limits, a charge of $80/tonne applies ($10 minimum fee) to cover chipping and handling costs.

The City's Green Bin/Yard Waste Collection program runs year-round. No garbage tag is required (except for grass clippings). The weight limit per bag or can is 20 kg (44 lbs). Garbage, Recycling & Green Bin/Yard Waste must be at the curb by 7:00 a.m. to ensure collection.

Q. What can I do with my grass clippings?

A. Grass clippings are only accepted at the curb for yard waste collection if the bag or can is tagged with a City of Orillia Garbage Tag. Please note:

Ideally, grass clippings should be left on your lawn. Simply keep your mower blade sharp, cut when the grass is dry, set your mower at the proper height (2.5" - 3"), and mow regularly. Use a mower with a mulching blade for the best results.

Grass clippings can be composted in your backyard composter.

Orillia residents can drop off grass clippings in tagged bags or cans at the Waste Diversion Site. Lawn maintenance companies can also drop off this material if the grass clippings are from City of Orillia addresses and are properly tagged.

Grass clippings can be set out at the curb and need to be tagged as follows:

For a Compostable Bag - attach the tag over the twist tie to form a flag.

For a Paper Bag - leave the bag open and place the tag on top of the grass clippings.

For a Can - place the tag on top of the grass clippings (not on the lid).

Leaving grass clippings on your lawn does not cause thatch or spread lawn diseases, and won't damage your lawn when you mow regularly and at the proper height. The grass plant's nutrients can then naturally be recycled to the soil, which helps lawns become healthier. So don't spend your time raking and bagging!

No garbage tag is required for setting out leaves or other yard waste.

Q. Why isn't my garbage picked up at the same time each week?

A. There are several reasons for this:

Road Construction Activities - Drivers are asked to collect from construction zones first thing in the morning so they can avoid all the construction vehicles once construction gets underway.

New Collection Drivers - When new drivers start, they have to learn the collection routes and the rules. This takes time.

Replacement Collection Drivers - If a driver calls in sick, it takes time to call another staff person in.

Truck Breakdowns - With the collection trucks running all day, breakdowns do occur.

Seasonal Fluctuations: The increase in waste set out after holidays, particularly Christmas, can slow drivers down as they have to pick up more material.

Residents are reminded to put garbage, green bin/yard waste, and recycling material to the curbside before 7:00 a.m. on the designated collection day to ensure collection.

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